Share this:

Like this:

I found this really difficult to narrow it down to ‘just’ 20, as I’ve had a great reading year and found some amazing new books that I’ve recommended to many people! But, narrow it down I did – so here are my top 20 of 2016 (though a few are actually out in early 2017, but I read them this year and I want to include them sooo….)

Here’s to another great reading year in 2017! Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

What have you read and loved this year?

Share this:

Like this:

Here’s a roundup of some of my favourite things from the last few months – lots of books, but also some beauty, fitness – whatever I’ve been loving, basically! I don’t do these posts very often but I LOVE reading other people’s, so I feel like I should post them a bit more regularly.

[BOOK]The Empathy Problem* by Gavin Extence was a great read – emotional but humorous and never cheesy. My review is here.

[BOOK] Again, a second book of a series that’s become one of my favourites: The Killing Files* by Nikki Owen. I loved The Spider in the Corner of the Room (renamed Subject 375) – read my review here – and this novel was just as good! Check out my review of The Killing Files.

[FITNESS] I’ve been going to the gym a lot but at home I find using resistance bands to exercise with really enhance any workout. I have the 50-125 pounds (green) band from Almondcy which is REALLY strong and great for assisting pull ups – though I need a less strong one now, yay! – and this green one from RISING*, which is 15-25 pounds, and ideal for exercises like face pulls etc.

[BOOK] I am really into spiralising things at the moment and love trying out new recipes using spiralised veg. Inspiralized& Inspiralize Everything by Ali Maffucci are just brilliant! I have tried out lots of the recipes and really enjoyed them all so far!

[BEAUTY] I have become a little obsessed with buying liquid listicks, and can’t seem to stop! I really wanted to find a cheaper (and actually available) dupe for some of the Kylie Lip Kits, and just wanted some more colours in general. I’ve kind of ended up with 4 different lipsticks that kinda look similar though…oh well! Here we have (from L-R): NYX Lingerie in 03 Lace Detail, Ofra liquid lipstick in Laguna Beach, NYX Liquid Suede in Sandstorm, and LA Splash velvet matte liquid lipstick in Romance (seems to be a pretty good dupe for Kylie Lip Kit in Maliboo – it’s pretty cool-toned).

[SHOP] I swear that the majority of my wages this month have gone on eBay finds! There are just so many cool things to buy on there, and some things are so CHEAP if you don’t mind waiting ages for them to arrive from overseas. Yes, there’s plenty of crap, but I feel like I’ve become a bit better at sifting through the rubbish! Need to stop buying any more bits and pieces I don’t really need though…

[FOOD] This Detox Tea*, from Nutrient Wise, are very detoxifying and have helped me feel less bloated. There’s a tea for morning and a tea for evening, each with different ingredients in. They have lots of great review on Amazon and they taste really good, too, which is an added bonus!

[BOOK] Continuing my ever-increasing love for cookbooks, these were another winner (again, two recipe books by the same author!): The Happy Pear: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Food to Change Your Life & The World of the Happy Pear, both by David Flynn and Stephen Flynn. These recipes are so tasty, vegan simple recipes that don’t require a million ridiculous ingredients for each meal. I reviewed both of these here.

What have you been loving this month?

Products marked with a * have been received at a discount or for free from publishers or other companies.

Share this:

Like this:

Here are my favourites from this month- that includes books and other stuff too!

If I received any of the below products in exchange for an honest review I’ll mark it with a *- but rest assured everything here is a firm favourite, however I got it!

Favourite Books:Bone By Bone – Sanjida Kay*: I loved this book! So full of suspense but also so relatable- I could imagine how I’d feel in both Laura and Autumn’s positions (well, try to imagine anyway!) and it really sucked me in. I couldn’t put it down! My review here.

The Girl in the Ice – Robert Bryndza*: this had the perfect blend of police procedures, ‘whodunnit’ and action. The characters made me want to read more and the police investigation was interesting to read about- overall, I just felt that this was a fantastic start to a great new series that I’d like to read more of. Here’s my review.

Favourite Beauty:Bourjois Poudre de Riz– this is a really nice, very finely milled face powder. It’s got a nice pale pinky colour and leaves an irridescent glow on the skin. I use it all over my face and in spots where I’d like to set my makeup (ie. on my under-eye concealer)

Topshop Cream Blush in Afternoon Tea – this leaves my cheeks with a rosy glow and looks really flattering. I dab it on with my fingers and blend it in, and sometimes use a brush to give it a bit of extra blending, if necessary!

Avon Make Up Setting Spray – this is a great alternative to the more expensive setting sprays; giving my face a good mist of this means my makeup stays on a lot longer!Gucci Bamboo – my favourite fragrance ever. It’s not the cheapest but it’s so worth it for this smell. It’s one of those scents that anyone who has tried it has really loved it, man or woman, whatever age! It’s a soft, floral and woody scent that’s just lovely 🙂

Favourite Films & TV:
I haven’t seen a huge number of films in the last month or so, sadly; I did however watch Birdmanstarring Michael Keaton. It might not be a film everyone will enjoy as it’s quite strange and quirky, but I really enjoyed it.

I’m also watching and really enjoying the second series of Happy Valley– a great British drama- and re-watching episodes of Modern Family, my favourite US sitcom in years!

Fashion Favourites:
Picked up this purse, card holder and earrings from River Island recently and I LOVE them, particularly the purse! I love all the clashing colours 🙂 I also went to a vintage fair a few weeks ago and picked up this amazing necklace, by Electric Eccentricity Jewellery!

Random Favourites:Iphone 5S tempered glass screen protector*: this is by far the best screen protector for my phone I’ve ever tried. I’ve had loads in the past which were cheap and rubbish but this one makes my phone look like a brand new device. The screen looks SO shiny and glossy but it does such a great job of protecting it from scratches and dirty. I am so impressed.

Kit Kat Cookies and Cream– my friend bought someof this which was the first time I’d tried it- it’s so tasty! It’s super sweet and sugary, of course, and no doubt really bad for you but I am addicted to it!